MF Carbon Cycles: The Story Behind “Ma Famille”

Some brands are born out of market research, a business plan, or a commercial ambition. Others come into being because an engineer thinks he’s found a way to save a few grams or a few watts. And then there are those that emerge as a response to life itself. MF Carbon Cycles belongs to this second category. Behind these two letters lie two words: “Ma Famille” (My Family). Behind the carbon frames, wheels, and handlebars lies the story of Fabrice Joudioux, who was soon joined by Johan Langlais. A story about bicycles, of course, but above all a story about children, rebuilding, and passing on a legacy. For several hours, we sought to understand why this brand existed before even looking into what it manufactures. Because sometimes, a company’s story reveals far more than its mere technical specifications.

By Jeff Tatard – Photos: © MF CARBON CYCLE 

Before carbon, there was a family

When we asked Fabrice Joudioux to tell us about the founding of MF Carbon Cycles, we naturally expected to hear about carbon, aerodynamics, or geometry. His answer immediately took a different turn. “The very first chapter is the birth of my children. MF stands for ‘Ma Famille’ (My Family).” At that moment, everything becomes clearer. Those two letters aren’t a name chosen simply because it sounds good. They tell the very reason for the brand’s existence.

As our conversation unfolds, Fabrice explains that the founding of MF Carbon Cycles is intimately linked to a particularly difficult period in his family life. He recounts going through a painful separation, followed by a lengthy legal battle during which he consistently contested the charges against him and from which, he says, he was ultimately exonerated. Even more than the legal proceedings themselves, it is what he says he felt during that time that now shapes the brand’s philosophy. “When you can’t see your children anymore, you wonder what you’re going to do. I went through about a year of depression. I had to find a way not to dwell on that failure and to leave something positive behind.”

From that moment on, the story ceased to be one of personal conflict. It became the story of a man who refused to let a hardship define the rest of his life. Some might have tried to move on. Fabrice chose to build something. And that is precisely how MF Carbon Cycles was born—not out of commercial ambition, but out of a desire to transform a wound into a legacy.

Lehna on the frame, Aksel on the wheels

At the time, Fabrice was riding a Lapierre bike. When the frame broke, he had to find a solution that fit his budget. A friend then told him about carbon frames made in Asia. Curiosity quickly took over. He did more and more research, compared manufacturers, and studied manufacturing processes. What was supposed to be a simple replacement gradually turned into a true discovery.

He ordered his first bike. But before even thinking about performance, Fabrice decided to inscribe what mattered most to him on it. His daughter’s first name, Lehna, appears on the frame. His son’s, Aksel, is on the wheels. “At first, I just wanted to ride a bike that would remind me that I still had my children. I didn’t want this story to end on a purely negative note.” This first bike isn’t a product yet. It’s a symbol. Almost a talisman. A way to keep taking his children with him, ride after ride. Then came the first few kilometers.

The frame’s handling was a pleasant surprise. The performance lived up to expectations. Fabrice refined his research, discovered new suppliers, improved the graphics, and gradually envisioned what would become MF Carbon Cycles a few years later. The name already existed. Its meaning, however, wasn’t yet fully defined. “From that moment on, MF truly became ‘My Family.’ From the very beginning, it had to represent the family.” Chance may have chosen two letters. Fabrice would give them a story.

Johan Langlais, Much More Than a Business Partner

Every business eventually needs a partner, a collaborator, or an investor. At MF Carbon Cycles, the story begins differently. When Johan Langlais appears in Fabrice’s account, he’s never introduced as a future partner. He’s first and foremost a friend. A man who shares the same passion for cycling and who, according to Fabrice, stood by his side during a time when many would likely have walked away.

At the time, Johan was already selling products manufactured in Asia through a distributor. One day, he contacted Fabrice to tell him about a pair of wheels that he described as an exceptional opportunity. The response was immediate. “Johan told me about a pair of wheels being offered at 1,000 euros at cost. I told him that wasn’t possible. When he realized he’d been taken in, he suggested we move forward together.”

That conversation marked a turning point. The two men had complementary skills. Johan already had a firm grasp of part of the marketing process. Fabrice was becoming increasingly familiar with manufacturers and products and had a genuine passion for customization. They could have spent weeks drafting complex articles of incorporation or a partners’ agreement. Instead, they did exactly the opposite. “Johan told me, ‘We’re not even going to draw up a contract. We’ll make a moral agreement, develop MF, and move the project forward. When the money starts coming in, we’ll figure out how to organize ourselves.’” ” In a company whose name means “My Family,” this trust seems almost self-evident. More than just a partner, Johan quickly became one of the pillars of the venture.

The Bike as an Extension of Its Owner

The first creations began circulating on social media. They didn’t really resemble the bikes typically found on the market. Colors gradually replaced standardized designs. Requests started trickling in. Then a cyclist from Brittany contacted the team. He didn’t just want to buy a bike. He wanted a bike that reflected his identity. Fabrice and Johan designed a custom look entirely inspired by Brittany. “He replied, ‘That’s great—it’s exactly what I want.’ And that’s really where it all began.” The first bike was sold. Then a second. Then a third.

Very quickly, orders started coming in from beyond Brittany. As the brand grew, a conviction took hold: A bike should never just be beautiful. It should say something about its owner. To this day, this philosophy remains at the heart of MF Carbon Cycles. “Someone might come to us after visiting a competitor and say, ‘They offered me a yellow stripe, but that’s not really customization.’ We want the bike to truly reflect the person.”

Important dates, colors, symbols, sports memories, family references… each project starts as a blank canvas. The goal isn’t to sell a bike that’s unique simply because it’s rare. The goal is to sell a bike that’s unique because it could belong to no one else.

Customization alone isn’t enough

That said, Fabrice refuses to reduce his work to mere decoration. The selection of frames, wheels, and components involves genuine research. Suppliers are chosen based on their respective specialties. “Anyone can claim to know how to do everything. But we know that one supplier will be particularly good for track bikes, another for road bikes, and yet another for wheels. We want to build long-term relationships based on trust.” He stands by this statement. Yes, the frames are manufactured in Asia.

Just like a huge portion of global production. The difference, according to Fabrice, doesn’t lie in the geographical origin. It lies in the choice of partners, the specifications, quality control, assembly, and above all, the relationship built with each customer. One phrase perfectly sums up this philosophy: “Bespoke ready-to-wear.”

When François Pervis Writes a New Chapter

Every young brand dreams of one day winning over a great champion. For MF Carbon Cycles, that moment takes the form of François Pervis. A multiple world champion, Olympic medalist, and the undisputed leader of French track cycling, he represents a tremendous opportunity… but also a massive challenge. Financial resources remain modest. So the two founders opted for transparency. “We explained to him that we could provide him with a bike, but that we didn’t have the means to pay him a substantial salary right away. François agreed to start out this way.”

The bike designed for François Pervis is unlike any other. The national, European, and world titles; the records; the Olympic medal; the gold leaf accents… Every detail tells a story of his career. “This bike is set in stone. It tells his entire story. ” On its own, it probably sums up what customization means at MF Carbon Cycles. It’s no longer just about painting a frame. It’s about telling a life story.

From Workshops to International Velodromes

Over the years, MF Carbon Cycles has developed true expertise in the world of track cycling. Two frames have received UCI certification. Specialized handlebars have been created. The Arcalpin team, in particular, has adopted the AeroMF. For an independent company, this step represents a considerable investment. Designs, testing, certifications, development… Fabrice estimates the investment in the two frames at nearly 40,000 euros. Part of this sum came from his parents. “This investment was made possible in large part by a donation from my parents. When I say ‘My Family,’ it’s not just two words on a logo.” The phrase resonates as a reminder. At MF, family isn’t just the origin of the project—it continues to support its development.

Today, bikes regularly leave the workshop to find their way to cyclists in France, as well as in Denmark, Greece, South Korea, and even Australia. “Sometimes, Johan and I stop and say to each other: we’ve gone from our first customer, who wanted a Breton bike, to someone who comes all the way from Australia to pick one up.”

A Story That Goes Beyond Business

Before saying goodbye to Fabrice, one last remark sticks in my mind. “From the very beginning, our customers aren’t really just customers. They become friends. Of course, there’s a business relationship, but the connection goes beyond commerce. ” Throughout our conversation, one impression gradually took hold. At MF Carbon Cycles, the bikes are ultimately just the tip of the iceberg. What truly holds this venture together are the human connections. The bond between a father and his children. That of two friends who choose to trust each other without a contract. That of a family providing financial support for the development of a project. And that of customers who want to ride a bike that tells a part of their own story.

After the story, it’s time for the road

For several hours, we talked about family, rebuilding, trust, customization, and passion. We discovered a company that, in the end, is unlike any other. Not because it manufactures carbon frames or wheels. But because its story began long before its first bike. MF Carbon Cycles is, first and foremost, the project of a father who refused to let one of the most difficult periods of his life also be the one that defined his future. Then this story became that of two friends, their loved ones, their customers, and everyone who chose to believe in this adventure. But telling a story is never enough.

At 3bikes, we’ve always believed that a product should be judged for what it truly is once it’s on the road. And as it happens… While we were getting a behind-the-scenes look at MF Carbon Cycles, a pair of the brand’s wheels was already rolling under our tires. We’ve decided to dedicate an entire article to this test ride to give it the attention it deserves. So in the coming weeks, we’ll be back with the full review of the MF Carbon Cycles wheels. Weight. Stiffness. Acceleration. Comfort. Aerodynamics. Performance. Because a great story makes you want to discover a brand. But only the road will tell if its products live up to the men and women who design them.